Porter's is an independent live-music bar at Harlech Court, Bute Terrace, in central Cardiff (CF10 2FE) — a long-running grassroots room with a stage, a community vibe and free live music several nights a week. Its open mic runs every Tuesday: sign-ups from 7pm, slots from 8pm, with each performer getting two songs or about 10 minutes. It's an all-comers night — music, poetry, comedy, dance — and the venue keeps an acoustic guitar and a stage piano on hand for anyone who needs them, so you can turn up empty-handed. Beyond the open mic, Porter's programmes Porter's Presents + Forte emerging-talent showcases every Wednesday plus the first two Fridays of the month (free), and party-band live music nights on the remaining Fridays and Saturdays from around 9:30pm spanning soul, funk, disco, reggae, ska, Latin and blues. Confirmed open and active in 2026.
Cardiff · Every Tuesday · No fee listed
City Centre's tuesday-night free open mic at Porter's — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
Next night: Tue 17 Nov. Kick-off 20:00, sign-up from 19:00. 10-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Tuesdays
| Night | Every Tuesday |
| Sign-up | 19:00 walk-in |
| Slot | 10 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · all ages |
| Backline | Full backline |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians · Poets · Comedians |
| Host | Genevieve |
| Website | porterscardiff.org |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 26 Sept 2026 |
| Checked against | Venue website |
Saint Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2GS
The nearest station is Cardiff Queen Street (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
Porter's runs Cardiff's self-styled premier open mic every Tuesday, hosted by Genevieve, with sign-ups from 7pm and slots kicking off at 8pm. It's free to play and every performer earns a free drink for their trouble. Music, poetry, comedy, dance - anything you want to bring to the stage is welcome. The room keeps an acoustic guitar and a stage piano for anyone who needs them, plus a full microphone locker and PA, so you can travel light. Sign-ups are heavy, so arrive as early as you can. A relaxed, supportive city-centre night with a loyal regular crowd.
Porter's is an independent live-music bar at Harlech Court, Bute Terrace, in central Cardiff (CF10 2FE) — a long-running grassroots room with a stage, a community vibe and free live music several nights a week. Its open mic runs every Tuesday: sign-ups from 7pm, slots from 8pm, with each performer getting two songs or about 10 minutes. It's an all-comers night — music, poetry, comedy, dance — and the venue keeps an acoustic guitar and a stage piano on hand for anyone who needs them, so you can turn up empty-handed. Beyond the open mic, Porter's programmes Porter's Presents + Forte emerging-talent showcases every Wednesday plus the first two Fridays of the month (free), and party-band live music nights on the remaining Fridays and Saturdays from around 9:30pm spanning soul, funk, disco, reggae, ska, Latin and blues. Confirmed open and active in 2026.
One tap. It tells the next act what to expect.
| 01 | Correct the day, time and sign-up |
| 02 | Edit your profile and photos |
| 03 | Receive artist enquiries |
| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
Porter's Open Mic
City Centre's tuesday-night free open mic at Porter's — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 7pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
- Tuesday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 26 Sept
- Last verified
- No fee
- Entry
- 10 min
- Slot length
- Verified
- Listing status
Last updated: 13 November 2026
Porter's Open Mic — Quick Facts
Porter's Open Mic runs on Tuesdays at Porter's in Cardiff, starting at 20:00 with sign-up from 19:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Music starts around 20:00. Sign-up is on the night from 19:00 - get there early to get a slot. Each act gets about 10 minutes. Full backline is listed, so you can travel light - bring your instrument, pedals and breakables. Genevieve hosts the night.
What’s on in Cardiff this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
Porter's runs Cardiff's self-styled premier open mic every Tuesday, hosted by Genevieve, with sign-ups from 7pm and slots kicking off at 8pm. It's free to play and every performer earns a free drink for their trouble. Music, poetry, comedy, dance - anything you want to bring to the stage is welcome. The room keeps an acoustic guitar and a stage piano for anyone who needs them, plus a full microphone locker and PA, so you can travel light. Sign-ups are heavy, so arrive as early as you can. A relaxed, supportive city-centre night with a loyal regular crowd.
Equipment and backline at this venue — what's on stage, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How Porter's’s Tuesday night runs.
Every Tuesday
Tue 17 Nov · Tue 24 Nov · Tue 1 Dec
Porter's provides a PA system, vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp and an in-house sound engineer — check the rest with the venue.
Get there by 19:00 for a slot, have your instrument tuned before your turn and keep to about 10 minutes.
Find Porter's
9 Porter's, Saint Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2GS
The nearest station is Cardiff Queen Street (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. You'll find Porter's in Saint Davids Centre, Cardiff; CF10 2GS is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Foundry Social, The Horse & Groom, The Horse & Groom and Legends Club
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Be there by 19:00 to put your name down. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
How much should paid gigs pay you? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. In the wider Cardiff live music scene.
Common Questions
9 questions people ask before going to Cardiff's Porter's open mic.
Venues Near Porter's
No other gigs are listed at Porter's in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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Porter's open mic in brief. The Porter's open mic runs every Tuesday from 20:00 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:00 and slots run about 10 minutes. Porter's’ venue page has its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Cardiff are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Cardiff? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
Keep exploring: the UK gig directory for what's coming up, the venue directory for rooms that book live music, the open mic finder for recurring stage time, and what's on across the UK this week. The blog covers pricing, contracts and getting booked, and about GigXchange explains who runs it and why. Something not right on this page? Tell us — or start on the home page.
After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Cardiff gigs or check the going rate.
More rooms near Porter's: Brewhouse, Cambrian Tap, Cardiff Students' Union, Clwb Crown, Clwb Ifor Bach, Depot, District Cardiff, Ffos Caerffili, Flute & Tankard, Foundry Social and Fuel Rock Club.
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